Best Education Schools

• Smart Choices: Math and science.Not only is there a nationwide shortage in these specialties, but studies continue to show that American science students lag behind their peers in Asia and other parts of the world.
• Insider Tip: Many states offer financial incentives for students willing to work in hard-to-staff subject or geographic areas. Iowa's student teacher loan forgiveness program, for example, offers up to $6,000 of loan forgiveness; certain restrictions apply, as they say. Other programs pay up after a year (or more) in the classroom. California's National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification Incentive Program pays out $20,000 over a four-year period. The American Federation of Teachers lists teacher scholarship and loan forgiveness programs at aft.org.
• Follow the need. It's much harder to find positions in wealthy or suburban areas than in rural areas or inner cities, so a change of scenery could boost your job prospects once you graduate. The feds keep a list of "teacher shortage areas" (use that phrase to search at ed.gov).
• Reality Check: Average student / teacher ratio, elementary schools, U.S. average: 20.2:1
  secondary schools 12.0:1
• Reality Check: Average national base salary for full-time teachers: $52,308
  Highest California, $64,424, and New York, $62,332
  Lowest: South Dakota, $36,674

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